Stu Cowan: Jonathan Drouin's days with Canadiens are in all probability over

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When Jonathan Drouin met with the media final Friday for in all probability the final time as a Canadien, I requested him if there was one phrase he might use to explain his six seasons in Montreal.

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“I might in all probability say ‘nice,’ ” the 28-year-old ahead mentioned. “Though with all of the ups and downs, I’ve had good occasions, I’ve met a whole lot of good folks, I’ve met a whole lot of good teammates, made a whole lot of buddies. There have been some years that have been robust, however I believe as a gaggle you push that apart and also you construct friendships with folks. That’s the stuff you’re going to recollect once you’re going to be sitting at your home once you’re 60 years previous. I’ve had fun right here.”

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Mikhail Sergachev has had a greater time in Tampa.

The participant former Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning six years in the past to get Drouin has developed into one of many high younger defencemen within the NHL.

The 24-year-old Sergachev has already received two Stanley Cups with the Lightning and led the workforce in ice time this season, averaging 23:43 per sport, whereas posting 10-54-64 totals in 79 video games to go together with a plus-13 differential. Twenty-seven of Sergachev’s factors (three objectives, 24 assists) got here on the facility play.

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Whereas Sergachev has a brand new eight-year, US$68-million contract that kicks in subsequent season, Drouin’s future is unsure with the expiration of the six-year, US$33-million contract Bergevin signed him to after making the commerce. Drouin, who can turn into an unrestricted free agent this summer time, says he’d like to stick with the Canadiens, however that appears not possible.

Drouin struggled with the strain of being a French Quebecer on the Canadiens and the very shiny highlight that comes with that. The Ste-Agathe native missed the final 12 video games of the 2020-21 common season and the Canadiens’ whole run to the Stanley Cup ultimate whereas coping with anxiousness and insomnia points that, at occasions, would see him go three nights in a row with out sleep. He additionally had harm issues, together with surgical procedure on each wrists.

This season, Drouin was restricted to 58 video games, posting 2-27-29 totals and a minus-18. Regardless of lacking 24 video games, Drouin’s 27 assists ranked second on the Canadiens behind Nick Suzuki, who had 40. Throughout his six seasons with the Canadiens, Drouin missed 134 video games. His greatest season was 2018-19, when he posted 18-35-53 totals in 81 video games, matching his profession excessive in factors.

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“I believe this market’s nice,” Drouin mentioned. “If you happen to push some stuff apart, there’s a whole lot of (positives), taking part in on the Bell Centre, taking part in for an Unique Six workforce. Sure, there’s a whole lot of media consideration, however there’s a whole lot of good things that comes with that, too, if yow will discover the good things and put that adverse stuff exterior just a little bit. I’ve actually loved my six years right here. I’ve had a whole lot of good occasions and a whole lot of good years and a few ups and downs.”

Drouin mentioned it took him three or 4 years to be taught to deal with the strain in Montreal and added that getting off social media helped.

“You suppose you’re prepared, however you’re not prepared,” he mentioned. “There’s a whole lot of stuff that you just’re not prepared for media-wise, fan-wise. Typically there’s criticism, however in some unspecified time in the future as you become old just a little bit you push that apart and also you simply focus in your hockey and what’s occurring on this room.”

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To Drouin’s credit score, he by no means hid from the media and would generally volunteer to return out and face the cameras when different teammates most well-liked to cover in a again room.

“I don’t suppose you may draw back when you have got a nasty sport or a nasty second,” Drouin mentioned. “You’ll be able to name it face the music if you would like, but it surely’s stuff that makes you stronger. One other factor, you wish to present the younger guys that you need to do this stuff. It’s a part of what we do, it’s a part of the market we play in. You’ll be able to’t actually draw back from that stuff. You bought to reply the questions, even when it’s not going properly.”

Drouin mentioned he’s comfy dwelling in Montreal along with his girlfriend, Marie-Laurence, and their one-year-old son, and that he’s 100 per cent open to staying with the Canadiens, including he likes the model of hockey head coach Martin St. Louis desires the workforce to play.

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If the Canadiens aren’t , Drouin is assured one other NHL workforce will need him.

“I’m not fearful,” he mentioned. “I’ve proven previously couple of months I can nonetheless play on this league and have an effect on a hockey workforce. I watched a whole lot of hockey, I watched a whole lot of video and I do a whole lot of homework on that. I can see myself taking part in within the NHL for a protracted whereas.”

At this level, a contemporary begin some place else can be a superb factor.

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